Bermuda is considered one of the most beautiful islands in the world and yet some residents continue to use it as a dumping ground.

This week The Royal Gazette has attempted to highlight the problem with a series of photographs, appealing to readers to 'Let's Fix It'.

These pictures have featured sites at Vesey Street, Devonshire, and the Little Harbour North section of Ely's Harbour, near Fort Scaur in Sandys.

The worst, however, came yesterday, with a rat-infested area along the North Shore Road in Devonshire.

The illegal site, near Palmetto Road and Barkers Hill, was covered in rats scuttling beneath piles of clothing, household items, bikes and old car batteries.

Keep Bermuda Beautiful executive director Richard Lathan said its "mind-boggling" scale was such that the organisation has been forced to change its planned location for this month's clean-up, on April 26.

Work on Admiral's Walk, by South Road in Warwick, will now take place at a later date.

Mr. Lathan said although there are up to eight major illegal dumping sites in Bermuda, he had never seen anything like this site before.

Stressing that the car batteries were an "environmental concern" just on their own, he is to ask Works and Engineering for truck support next Saturday. A large crew of volunteers will also be needed.

"The new site is a heinous blight on a lovely picturesque spot on the North Shore Road, Devonshire, and has been callously abused with litter of every imaginable kind," said Mr. Lathan yesterday.

"It will require as many willing hands as possible for this momentous job. This will be a sad dress rehearsal for our 100 sites Island-wide effort next month."

In a pre-election pledge, Government promised to crack down on violaters by introducing greater penalties under amendments to the Waste and Litter Control Act 1987.

Former Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield also said the Parks Act was to be amended "to give Park Rangers the authority to issue citations for infractions".

The Bottle Bill — outlined in the Throne Speech, will also encourage people to leave beverage containers at roadside drop-off points in exchange for a deposit refund.

Last night there were no further updates or comment from the Ministry.

Works Minister Derrick Burgess is also urging residents to report roadside dumpers to either the Government or Police. Mr. Burgess said people should take their waste to the Tynes Bay Incinerator instead.

Mr. Lathan aims to start next Saturday's North Shore clean-up at 9 a.m. He said: "I ask for whatever time and effort people are able to give.

"While we will be asking the Government for help carting this stuff away, if any of you own or know of truckers who can help with this effort it would be greatly appreciated."

Anyone who would like to help, please contact Keep Bermuda Beautiful at: 295-5142.

* Do you know of any more eyesores? What can be done to stop the dumping?

Are you going to volunteer to help clean up the trash? Email news@royalgazette.bm.